kidney transplantation

New tools can better predict successful kidney transplant outcomes

harminka — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:29:04 -0600

Kidney transplants are the best available therapy for end stage renal disease. Because of the shortage of deceased organ donors, living donor transplantation is rapidly growing and has the advantage of improved outcomes over deceased donor transplants.

Study compares strategies for BK virus nephropathy

harminka — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:44:56 -0600

For kidney transplant recipients with a serious complication called BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN), promptly cutting back on anti-rejection drugs reduces the risk of losing the kidney (graft loss), according to a report in the November Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).

Implications for decreasing need for immunosuppressants

harminka — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:00:29 -0600

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found an association between the genetics of donor-recipient matches in kidney transplants and complications during the first week after transplantation.

Kidney transplantation can improve mental performance

harminka — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:19:33 -0600

Individuals with kidney disease often suffer from cognitive impairment, but kidney transplantation can improve their mental performance, according to a paper being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 41st Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Kidney donation Web sites raise ethical concerns

harminka — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:30:57 -0500

Living donor kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment option for patients with end stage renal disease. The outcomes of this type of transplant are superior to waiting for several years on the deceased donor transplant list while on dialysis.

Statins linked to improved survival in kidney transplant recipients

harminka — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:38:05 -0500

For patients receiving kidney transplants, treatment with cholesterol-lowering "statin" drugs may lead to longer survival, reports a study in the November 2008 Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

Reducing disparities for black kidney transplant recipients

harminka — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:32:01 -0500

Kidneys donated after individuals die from cardiovascular causes may be one of the best options for black patients in need of transplants, according to a study appearing in the October 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN).

New protocol streamlines therapy that makes more kidney transplants possible

harminka — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:20:20 -0500

A new therapy developed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center improves transplant rates and outcomes for patients awaiting living- and deceased-donor kidney transplantation, according to a study published in the July 17 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Kidney transplants less successful at night

harminka — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:17:52 -0500

Kidney transplants should be carried out during the day if possible. At least this is the conclusion suggested by a survey just published by urologists and internists at the University of Bonn (Transplantation Proceedings, vol. 40, p. 1341 ff.).

Male kidneys for men only?

harminka — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:37:20 -0500

New analysis of the Heidelberg “Collaborative Transplant Study”: Men and Women benefit from gender specific transplants / Publication in “The Lancet”. The gender of donor and recipient plays a larger role in kidney transplants than previously assumed. Female donor kidneys do not function as well in men – due to their smaller size.

Kidney transplant patients may benefit from going off of immunosuppressive drugs

harminka — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:03:03 -0500

Withdrawing certain immunosuppressive drugs following kidney transplantation prolongs survival and saves money compared with keeping patients on these medications for life, according to a study appearing in the September 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN).

What's wrong with selling kidneys?

harminka — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:21:16 -0500

A regulated system of compensation for living donors may be the solution to the growing shortage of kidneys for transplantation, writes Arthur Matas, Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota.